The Tennessee Titans are in the home stretch before the start of training camp, with players scheduled to report on July 22. Over the final week, Titans Wire will continue to preview key moments to watch during camp and offer another unit preview. This time, it’s the defensive line.
The Titans will bring 10 players to camp, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and young hopefuls.
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Here’s a quick rundown of who and what to expect this summer.
Coaching staff
Dennard Wilson (defensive coordinator), Tracy Rocker (unit coach), Travis Smith (assistant/run game coordinator)
Wilson will be entering his second season as defensive coordinator and has a solid group of coaches under him that should help maximize the potential of the defensive line. Rocker brings a wealth of experience and is in his second stint coaching with the Titans. He will be joined by Smith, an offseason coaching addition who was brought in to serve as the run game coordinator. At times in 2024, Tennessee struggled to stop the run, and this is an area that this group of coaches must work to improve in 2025.
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Alignment
The Titans employ a 3-4 base defense. However, there are signs that they may play multiple fronts in 2025 after changing the size of the players they deploy on the edge. Free agent acquisitions Dre’Mont Jones and Lorenzo Carter, as well as second-round pick Femi Oladejo, are bigger and more physical players than they were in 2024.
Nose Tackle
T’Vondre Sweat, Keondre Coburn, Cam Horsley
Sweat was a significant addition as a second-round pick in 2024 and, by all accounts, exceeded expectations. While the 6-4, 366-pound Sweat was solid as a rookie and flashed dominating traits, there is room for growth, and he must become more consistent in year two. If Sweat can put it all together, he could anchor the defensive line for a long time.
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Coburn is experienced depth behind Sweat, but could face a challenge from Horsley, an undrafted free agent who could impress once the pads are put on during camp.
Left defensive end
Sebastian Joseph-Day, Carlos Watkins, Philip Blidi, Isaiah Raikes
Tennessee brought back Joseph-Day as an unrestricted free agent to continue to round out their starting front. The veteran is a steady presence who brings a workman-like mindset to the defensive line. More substance than flash, he is an outstanding complement to Jeffery Simmons along the line. Watkins was a veteran addition from the Dallas Cowboys, bringing some experience to the roster.
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Behind him, there will be a mix of players battling for depth roles heading into the season. Blidi and Raikes are two of the four undrafted rookies signed after the draft and could find their way into the mix.
Right defensive end
Jeffery Simmons, James Lynch, Devonte O’Malley
Simmons is the heart of the defensive line and is looking to return to his dominant form heading into his seventh season with the Titans. Motivated to change his trajectory, Simmons appears to be in the best shape of his career, having lost 20 pounds during the offseason and showing more explosion during minicamp in an attempt to turn his elite pressure rate into sacks.
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Lynch was brought back to add some veteran depth behind Simmons and is a prototypical depth piece. O’Malley is an undrafted rookie free agent with an intriguing skill set who could surprise.
Overall outlook
The defensive line is the anchor of the Titans’ defense and should be in great hands with Simmons, Sweat, and Joseph-Day entering their second season together as a front. With Simmons motivated to make more of an impact and Sweat looking to take another step forward after experiencing a full NFL season, the unit has the potential to be one of the best in the league.
The real question is with the depth and who will man the rotational roles behind the starters.
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Coburn, Lynch, and Watkins have the veteran experience that should give them a slight advantage entering camp, but the Titans brought in four quality undrafted rookie free agents with different skill sets, all with the talent to surprise. The battle in the trenches for these back-up roles should be a fun one to watch.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans training camp preview: Defensive line